Gabrielle: Bride of Vermont (American Mail-Order Bride 14) by Emily Claire Page A

tell him now that I don’t go to church, or wait until another time? I’m just too tired to argue about it right now.
    “I wasn’t able to go back to sleep last night, so I guess I’m pretty tired. I’m really not up to going. I hope you won’t mind too much if I don’t join you.”
    The tired look around her eyes was proof enough of her exhaustion. “Of course not. Maybe you should rest today. There’s always the mid-week gathering. I don’t mind going alone and I’ll be back in plenty of time to be here when Buck makes his way inside. I’m willing to bet he’ll sleep past noon. He always liked sleeping late, especially following nights when he performed for events in local areas.”
    They finished eating, and she washed the dishes and tidied up while he dressed for church. He came out of his bedroom, ready to go.
    “I’m ready, so I’ll be seeing you later, then,” he said awkwardly.
    She sensed his discomfort. “Is something wrong?”
    “No, not really. I suppose I was looking forward to taking you to church and introducing you to the community today. I guess I’m a little disappointed.” He shook his head, “Kind of silly of me. I guess it’ll have to wait until the next meeting.”
    Gabrielle’s heart dropped. She busied herself with straightening up the cups and bowls on the shelf. “Well, I hope you have a nice time. I’ll have lunch ready whenever you return.”
    “So long,” he said, walking toward the door and putting on his coat.
    The door closed, and she sank slowly onto a chair. Elbows on the table, she covered her eyes and rested her head in her hands.
    She couldn’t do it. She hadn’t stepped into a church since she was sixteen years old, and she wasn’t planning on starting again now. What have I gotten myself into? How will I tell him?
    She spent the next hour sweeping and cleaning the floors, feeling unsettled and unsure of what to do. She missed her friends so much, and wished for a way to talk to them again.
     
    Dear Poppy,
     
    I wish you were here. I miss our late-night conversations when we figured everything out together. I need someone to talk to.
     
    I made it to Texas tired, but safe and sound. There was a little mix-up when I first arrived but it all got straightened out eventually. My husband to be, Boone Dillingham, suffered an injury and was unable to meet me. Boone and I married that night while he lay recovering in his bed!
     
    Poppy, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into if you agree to marry a fellow “in name only.” I never imagined that Boone would be so polite and perfectly handsome! My heart pounds when he’s near. I’m sticking to my plan, though. He may be good-looking, but I’ll stand firm. I don’t need affection to be happy. I’m not saying it’ll be easy. I’m just saying I’ll be strong and true to my agreement.
     
    I hope you get this letter and can write and let me know what has happened to you. Please stay in touch.
     
    Much love, Gabby
     
    PS: Boone calls me “Breezy.” Isn’t that ridiculous?
    She composed similar letters to Roberta and Sarah, hoping her former roommates were doing well and had settled into their new lives by now.
     
    Gabrielle felt restless. She’d cleaned as much as she wanted to and had lunch prepared for later. A nap was out of the question, with the possibility of Boone’s son coming in and finding her asleep. Donning her coat and gloves, she went outside for a walk. She was amazed that Texas could be so pleasant, even in December.
    Exploring the land that surrounded her home helped lift her spirits. She thought about Boone and his Bible reading and church-going ways. She would just have to tell him that she wasn’t a church-going girl. It wasn’t that she didn’t know about God! After all, she’d read the Bible once in a while and gave to the poor. Whenever someone was in need, she’d be the first person to help out when it was in her power to do so. She just didn’t prefer to